Adhesive-type oxygen mask



Oct. 15, 1957 J. J. SWEARINGEN EI'AL 2,809,633

ADHESIVE-TYPE OXYGEN MASK Filed Oct. 21. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 John ilz/eomkye/z ADIESWE-TYPE OXYGEN MASK John J. Swearingen and Ernest B. McFadden, Columbus, Ohio, assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce Application October 21, 1955, Serial No. 542,115

4 Claims. (Cl. 128146) This invention relates to breathing apparatus and especially contemplates an oxygen mask assembly in which the mask is automatically presented for use when deviations from specified atmospheric conditions occur.

With the advent of pressurized cabins in commercial aviation consequent to the desire to attain greater speeds and flight altitudes, it has become imperative to devise safety measures and equipment to insure the Well being of the passenger in the event of cabin pressure failures.

At altitudes in excess of 10,000 feet, the oxygen content of the air becomes sufficiently low so as to affect the physiological processes of the human body in a detrimental manner as is well known. Therefore, in the event of a pressure failure at high altitudes, it is imperative to quickly make oxygen available to the passengers. Existing emergency oxygen equipment is relatively bulky, expensive and requires a certain amount of instruction for proper use. Moreover, since such apparatus cannot be readily concealed, it presents a somewhat formidable appearance to the average passenger, a condition which is clearly not conducive to relaxation while traveling.

The oxygen apparatus comprising the present invention has therefore been devised to provide a cheap, lightweight disposable mask which is normally contained in a small unobstrusive container adapted to be easily mounted inconspicuously adjacent each passenger. The housing or container includes a mechanism for automatically releasing the mask when a pressure drop of the predetermined magnitude is detected and presenting the mask to the passenger in a manner that is extremely simple and effective. The mask is made of a simple cloth-like, molded rubber or plastic material which can readily be disposed of after use. The maintenance of a mask for each passenger on a plane therefore is extremely economical and practicable.

The development of such device therefore provides a safety standard on the basis of which emergency equipment can be prescribed for commercial aviation by regulatory agencies such as the CAB.

it is therefore an object of this invention to provide an oxygen mask and presentation device which is automatic in operation, economical and sufliciently compact to make practicable its adaptation to commercial airline use.

A further object is to provide an oxygen mask having securing means which adapts it to be secured to the face of the user with a minimum of skill and effort.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an oxygen mask which possesses radial symmetry so as to conform to the contour of the users faces and obviates the need of observing physical congruence when applying.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an oxygen mask assembly, in which the mask is normally safely concealed in an inconspicuous receptacle and in which means are provided for automatically releasing the container and presenting the mask for application to the user when a pressure drop in the surrounding atmosphere is detected.

atent cost, disposable oxygen mask having adhesive-like securing means, and in which the means for protecting the adhesive surface is automatically removed upon presentation of the mask.

Other uses and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reference to the specification and drawings.

Fig. l is a pictorial representation of the oxygen mask in accordance with the present invention in use and applied to the face of the user;

Fig. 2A is an isometric view of the interior of the maskcontainer showing the mask presentation mechanism in cocked position;

Fig. 2B is a view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2A illustrating the position of the operative elements at the start of release;

Fig. 3 represents the mechanism of Fig. 2A showing the position of the operative elements when fully released, the mask being in its final position of presentation;

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional View of a portion of the release mechanism, and

Figs. 5A and 5B are detailed views of the oxygen mask construction in accordance with the invention.

The mask The construction of the mask portion of the apparatus is detailed in Figs. 5A and 5B. The mask 20 may be made of elastic cloth, thin rubber, or plastic and is preferably formed in the shape of a frustum of a right circular cone. It has been determined that a cone-like body having a large diameter of about /2, a small diameter of ap- Another object of this invention is to provide a lowproximately 1% and a height of approximately 1% allows perfect and comfortable fitting of different facial contours of both children and adults when applied over the nose and mouth. The cone-like shape described results in the mask possessing radial symmetry and eliminates the need for aligning the mask with the face before applying.

As shown in Fig. 533, a portion of the inner surface of the fabric cone 21 is provided with a thin rubber or pliable plastic lining 22 which is suitably cemented to the fabric body. When the cone portion is fabricated out of thin rubber or other plastic material it is preferably made in varying thicknesses, the base of the cone being made thin and flexible so as to be adaptable to the contours of persons faces, the upper portion of the cone being of greater thickness to provide suflicient body to the cone. The center of the cone is provided with an orifice in which a hollow grommet 23 is secured. The grommet provides an anchor for the end of an air hose 26 connected to the oxygen supply line in the plane. The remaining peripheral surface on the inside face of the cone is coated with a tacky adhesive-like material 24 such as Elastoplast. A protective cover strip 25 is applied over the tacky portion as is conventional. As is apparent in Figs. 5A and 5B, 2. tab 21a is formed integral with the cone, and a separate peeling tab 25:: is provided on the pro tecting cover for a purpose to be described.

Since failure of the pressurizing apparatus in a plane is often incidental to failure of other power equipment, either the mask body 21, or the liner 22 may be impregnated or otherwise treated to exhibit fluorescent properties. For example, the use of a substance such as Col-o-vin as the lining material 22 not only provides the necessary degree of flexibility but is sulficiently fluorescent to enable the mask to be manipulated in the dark.

Container and release mechanism -.a base plate 2, and a removable cylindrical closure 3.

bayonet-type slots 16a (Fig. 3) in the cover plate to secure the cover to the base. The housing contains the previously described oxygen mask together with a portion of the oxygen supply hose and the automatic pressure responsive release mechanism which automatically opens the closure 3 and projects the mask for immediate use according to the position shown in Fig. 3. I

The interior of the housing, with the coverplate 1 removed is. more clearly illustrated as shown in Fig. 2A. The presentation mechanism is shown in its normal cocked position ready to be triggered by a pressure change. The cylindrical closure 3 is'shown in open position for purposes of clarity. It is to be understood that such closure is normally banded around the base plate to form an annular protective wall for the interior mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 2A there is shown a peripheral anchoring block 4 which is rigidly secured or may be formed integral with the base plate 2; The closure member 3 comprises a thin band of spring-like material, the ends of which are suitably upset as indicated at 3a and 3b to provide a friction joint. The end portion 3b is adapted to snugly fitwithin the pocket portion defined by the end 3a'when the closure 3 is wrapped snugly around the periphery of the housing. The base plate 2 is suitably machined to provide anannular shoulder or ledge 2;; extending peripherally around thecircumference of the base plate. The coverplatel is similarly shaped, and it will be apparent that such shoulder portions provide a seat for snugly accommodating the closure member 3.

The center portion of the closure 3 is secured to. the

ly outwardly from the housing as indicated in Fig. 3 The 7 end of the presentation member is provided with an offset ledge 6n to which the oxygen mask is partially secured byn eans of a light adhesive or other readily disconnectable secu ing means. The previously described tab 21:: on the mask shpwn in Figs. 5A and 5B provides a convenient mounting meansfor such purpose. The mask 20.

occupies theinterior of the housing and isnormally folded to lie on the base plate 2 as shown in Fig. 2A. The presentation member 6 is furtherprovided with. a'catch 7 (Figs;-2A and13-).in; the form of an abutment having a recess. (not shown). adapted. to seat over a restraining. pin 8. The pin 8,forms part of a boss 9 secured to thebase plate. When the presentation member 6 is retracted within the housing. as shown in Fig. 2A, it assumes the volute form. shown, andlis firmly retained in the housing by the. engagement. between the catch 7 and restraining;

pin 8.

A trigger finger 1.0. is provided in order to release the presentation member 6. The trigger finger is shown in Fig. 2A as. being pivotally mounted on the'baseplate 2 by means of a pin 10a. One endof the trigger is provided 5 with a nose 10b adapted to engage against'a surface of V the presentation member 6. The other end of the trigger finger 10 is engaged by a trigger spring 11'. For convenience, the triggerspring may bein the form of a leaf spring, one end of which is fastened to the anchoring block 4. The springis shown in a tensioned condition bearing'against the end' of the trigger finger 10. When the apparatus is in the cocked-position illustrated in Fig.

2A, the trigger finger ltl is held against the force exerted by spring 11 by means ofa sear- 12. The sear 12;extends through an opening 12a formed in the base plate and is resiliently connected to the bottom surface of the base plateby a suitable leaf spring 121); as indicated in Fig. 4.

' 6 is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2B.whi ch;sh0ws 4 It will be apparent from Fig. 4 that the sear 12 is in this manner mounted for lateral movement in a direction trans-' verse to the base platc2 and the trigger finger 10.

The pressure sensing means comprises a conventional aneroid element 13 which is fastened to the base plate 2 by means of a fastener 13a (Fig. 4). An operating crank 14 is mounted on a rocker 14a which is pivotally mounted on the base plate 2 by a pintle 14b. One end of the operating crank 14 is disposed in alignment'with the aneroid element, while the remote end'of the crank extends down-i wardly through an opening in the base plate as. is more clearly shown in Fig. 4 and abuts the sear leaf spring 12b. It will be apparent from such described construction that expansion and contraction of the aneroid 13 will be reflected as a rocking movement of the crank 14 about the pintle 14!) with consequent displacing of the sear 12.

An anchorage which conveniently may take the form of a conventional alligator clip 17 is suitably fastened to the base plate as shown in Fig. 2A. The tab 25a on the. adhesive protective cover referred to in connection with Figs. 5A and 5B is held by the alligator clip when the mask is positioned within the housing. An.opening 15 in the base plate provides access for the oxygen supply tube which extends outwardly of the housing where it is coupled to the oxygen supply system of the plane or vehicle in which they device. is mounted.

Operation The release mechanism is. normally in cocked position within the housing as. shown in Fig. 2A. The mask 20 is neatly and. compactly folded so. as. to be within the receptacl as: shown; in Fig. 2A. The hose portion 26 extends out through the opening 15 in the base plate 2. With the flexible closure. 31 and the cover plate 1 in place, the entireassemblyhas, a relatively flattcylindrical appearance asindicated by the receptacle portion of the assembly shownin Fig. 3'. The unitmay therefore be conveniently mounted on a portion of the seat occupied by the passenger or on. the bulkhead adjacent the seat. In any event: the unit; occupies very little room and is'quite inconspicuous. The outwardly extending hose may be con nected: to the oxygen supplymain of the plane or vehicle. The tab 210 forming part of the cone portion ofthe mask 20 is suitablyfastened to the ledge 6a on the presentation member 6. The tab'may be adhesively joined to the ledge or may. be otherwise tackedon so, as to be readily removable therefrom. Alternately a spring clip fastener orany suitable securing means may be employed The: tab forming part of the protective cover for the adhesive surface 21 is engaged to be gripped by the jaws ofthe'alligatorclip-17. V

The aneroid member 13 will tend to contract toward the base plateupon increase of the ambient or atmospheric pressure and to expand away therefrom when the atmosphericpressuredecreases; The connecting arm'14' is cooperatively related with the aneroid 13 and the sear 12 as described. Hence, when the aneroid member is extended a predeterminedamount. consequent to a pressure drop as would be occasioned by a failure in the pressurizing sys temofthe plane or vehicle or a voluntary dumping of pressure due to smoke or toxic gases, the pivoting ofthe. member '14 will retract the sear pin and undog the restrained end ofthe trigger finger. The trigger will then be abruptly rotatedby the'trigger spring 11 and thenose; portion10b will force the, catch 7 from engagement with the restraining pin. 8. The position assumed by the trigger finger 1 0, and'the end of thepresentationmember catch-g7 just afterit is disengaged fromjhe, pin 8.. Since.

thepresentationimember: 6; is no longenconstrained its: unf

se ll fi Qndwillfiyoutwardly, disengaging the frictionally. h liends.;of the;closureg3a and the mechanism willassume the position illustrated in Fig. 3. It will be apparent, that i insuchtfinaltp iition;ofprescntment, themask 20: isextended in a position most appropriate to removal by the user. As the mask 20 is jerked outwardly from the container by the spring action of the presentation member 6 the peeling tab 25a will be firmly held in the alligator clip and hence, the protective covering 25 will be automatically stripped, exposing the tacky or adhesive surface 24. The mask is thus rendered ready for use. The user merely removes the mask from the presentation member and applies it to his face in the manner indicated in Fig. l. The adhesive surface provides an efiicient anchoring means and seal, while the flexible construction and shape of the mask as described adapts it to various facial contours.

While an exemplary embodiment of the principles underlying the present invention has been shown and described it will be apparent that the invention is susceptible of many construction variations. The mask as described is constructed of elasticized gauze to which a rubber lining is applied. It is entirely feasible, however, to form the mask out of a molded rubber or pliable plastic composition. Moreover, the rubber lining may be applied to the fabric body by spraying, dipping, or other conventional methods. It is therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a respiratory apparatus, the combination of a mask adapted to be applied to the face of a user, said mask having conduit means adapted to be connected to an oxygen supply source and means for readily securing the mask to the users face, a normally closed container having a mask storage area for receiving said mask, an extensible mask presentation member mounted in normally retracted position within said container, means on said presentation member for detachably mounting said mask and means responsive to a predetermined change in the ambient atmospheric pressure for releasing said mask presentation member to extended mask-available position.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which said mask securing means comprises an adhesion surface provided on a marginal portion of said mask, a strippable protective strip normally covering said adhesion surface, and means responsive to the extension movement of said mask presentation member for stripping said protective strip and exposing said adhesion surface.

3. The invention of claim 1 in which said extensible mask presentation member comprises a spring, and said release means comprises means for restraining said spring in its normally retracted position within said container, trigger means for disengaging said restraining means and pressure responsive means for releasing said trigger means.

4. The invention of claim 1 in which said container comprises a base plate and a cover plate spaced therefrom, an annular resilient closure strip banded around the peripheral portions of said plates, disconnectable means normally securing said closure member to said container, and said mask presentation means comprises a volute spring normally coiled within the space defined by said plate and closure member and adapted, when released, to disengage said closure member from said plates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Engelder Jan. 13, 1953 

